Multifunctional lazy susan

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a multifunctional lazy susan comprising a multifunctional lazy susan that includes a pedestal, a tray rotatably and detachably fastened to the pedestal, and an arrangement of assembled plates positioned about an axis of rotation that extends through the tray and the pedestal. Each plate includes an aperture radially spaced about and proximate the axis of rotation, and a food or condiment dish is releasably coupled to each assembled plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a lazy susan assembly thatcomprises a plurality of dinnerware or party-plates, hereafter referredto as plates or plate, that include beverage holder apertures releasablycoupled to a dish supported on or above the plates. The plates arearranged on a tray that is rotatably and detachably fastened to apedestal so that the releasable plates and detachable tray aremultifunctional in that the assembly may be used either as aconventional lazy susan, or the tray may be detached from the pedestalso that persons may be individually served from the detached tray. Inaddition, any one or more of the plates may be selectively uncoupledfrom the dish for use apart from the lazy susan assembly or from thedetached tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide amultifunctional lazy susan assembly having a rotatable, detachably trayfor use with or apart from the lazy susan assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide amultifunctional lazy susan assembly having an arrangement of fourplates, each plate shaped to fit within one quadrant of the rotatableand detachable tray.

It is another object of the present invention to provide at least oneaperture in each plate, each aperture shaped to clasp and suspend aportion of a beverage container below the plate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide afood/condiment dish, hereafter referred to as a dish, supported above orsupported on the arrangement of four plates, the dish including acoupling member that releasably couples the dish to each plate.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a coverthat encloses the tray, the four plates, and the dish, the coverincluding a storage compartment for additional plates.

In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages, the presentinvention provides a multifunctional lazy susan comprising amultifunctional lazy susan that includes a pedestal, a tray rotatablyand detachably fastened to the pedestal, and an arrangement of assembledplates positioned about an axis of rotation that extends through thetray and the pedestal. Each plate includes an aperture radially spacedabout and proximate the axis of rotation, and a food or condiment dishis releasably coupled to each assembled plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent lazy susan invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lazy susan shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-section view taken from the portion labeled3A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view with the cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view rotated 90-degrees with respect to FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the lazy susan with the cover removed.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the lazy susan.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the lazy susan invention with the dishremoved.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the lazy susan with the dish removed.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of one plate taken from the arrangement ofplates shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the plate in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an elevation view taken along the lines 12-12 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view taken along the lines 13-13 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view taken along the lines 14-14 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is an elevation view taken along the lines 15-15 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the dish shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the dish in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view showing the bottom of the dish in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18A is an isometric view showing an alternate embodiment of thedish bottom.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-section view showing a bearing arrangement.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-section view showing an alternate bearingassembly.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-section view of the of the present lazy susaninvention with the bearing assembly shown in FIG. 19 or FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showing an alternate tray embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view showing an alternate tray embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view showing an alternate tray embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a lazy susan assembly 1 that includes a pedestal 2,a tray 10, an arrangement of assembled plates 20 for placement on tray10, a dish 30, and a cover 40. Referring in particular to FIG. 2,pedestal 2 comprises a base end 3, a second end 4 adapted to detachablyfasten to tray 10, and a transition portion 5 extending between base 3and the second end. The second end 4 is adapted to rotatably anddetachably fasten tray 10 to pedestal 2.

Referring generally to FIGS. 2 through 7, tray 10 comprises a flat orplaner portion 11 for holding the assembled plates 20 and dish 30, anarcuate portion 12 shaped to correspond with the shape of plates 20, anoutward extending inclined portion 13, and a downward extendingconnection member 14 adapted to rotatably and detachably fasten to thesecond end 4 of pedestal 2. A skirt or rim 15, attached to inclinedportion 13, extends along the periphery of tray 10. Skirt 15 extends ina downward direction from tray 10 to a depth equal to or greater thanthe bottom end 16 of connection member 14 so that the bottom end 17 ofthe skirt 15 supports tray 10 when the tray is used as a tablewarearticle separate from the lazy susan assembly. Skirt 15 further includesan upward extending portion 18 that includes handles 19. It should beunderstood that, while the preferred embodiment of the present inventionshows a continuous vertical skirt 15 along the periphery of tray 10,skirt 15 may be discontinuous and/or inclined, and any number of handlesmay be provided, without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

In the preferred embodiment, dish 30 is supported on tray 10 so that itis positioned a distance above the assembled of plates 20, and the dishis releasably coupled to each plate assembled nested on tray 10. Therelationship between dish 30 and the assembled plates 20 is described ingreater detail below.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3, cover 40 includes a lidportion 41, and a storage compartment 42. Lid 41 comprises a box likeshape having an open end 43 that is shaped to correspond with andenclose skirt 15. In the event that tray does not include a skirt, openend 43 is shaped to correspond with the periphery of the tray. Theclosed end 44 of lid 41 is supported on handles 19, and the lidhermetically seals the assembled plates 20, dish 30, and tray 10 whencover 40 is in place.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the lid portion 41 of cover 40 may also include aflexible tab 45 that releasably clasps and seals the bottom end 17 ofskirt 15 or the bottom of tray 10 if the tray does not include a skirt.

Storage compartment 42 includes a sidewall 46 that extends in an upwarddirection from the lid 41, a closed top 47, and an opening 48 along wall46 that provides access to a storage space 49 within the enclosure, thestorage space sized to store at least one replacement assembly of fourplates. In the preferred embodiment, storage compartment provides astorage space 49 for storing two sets of replacement plates 20 a and 20b, each set comprising four plates.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, showing the multifunction lazy susan 1 withthe food/condiment dish removed from the assembly, FIG. 9 shows anarrangement of four assembled plates 20 properly positioned on tray 10with each plate occupying one quadrant of the tray. It should beunderstood that although the preferred embodiment shows a square plate,any plate shape, for example rectangular, circular, triangular, etc. maybe used without departing from the scope of the present invention aslong as the different shaped plate is capable of coupling to dish 30 asdescribed below.

Each plate 20, in the arrangement of assembled plates, includes at leastone beverage holder comprising a first aperture 21 and a smalleraperture 22 that extends from aperture 21 through one edge portion ofplate 20. Both apertures 21 and 22 extend from top surface of each plate20 through the bottom surface of the plate, and in the preferredembodiment, aperture 22 is a slot shape and it extends from the largeraperture 21 through one corner 23 of each square shaped plate 20.Aperture 21 is shaped and sized to clasp the side wall of a beveragecontainer and suspend a portion of the container, for example a wineglass 27 as shown in FIG. 14, below the plate. Referring for a moment toFIG. 15, the smaller aperture 22 is shaped to accommodate a cup handleor the like. The cut through the edge of the plate provides clearanceand enables the handle of cup 28 to extend outboard from the plate.Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, when the assembly of four plates 20 isproperly positioned on tray 10, the first and second apertures 21 and 22respectively, are radially spaced about a center axis or axis ofrotation X-X that extends through tray 10 and pedestal 2.

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 15, each plate 20 includes a flat portion24, an arcuate portion 25, and an inclined portion 26 that correspondswith the tray portions 11, 12, and 13 respectively so that the assemblyof four plates is nested within tray 10 as shown in FIG. 8. It should beunderstood that although the plates 20 are intended for use with thepresent multifunctional lazy susan, they are suitable for use asseparate tableware in any other food service or application withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 16 through 18, dish 30 comprises a top surface 31shaped to hold foods or condiments, a bottom surface 32, and acontinuous serpentine shaped coupling member 33 extending in a downwarddirection, the serpentine shape corresponding with the size, shape andarrangement of the plate apertures 21 and 22 when properly assembled andnested on tray 10 as shown in FIG. 9. In the preferred embodiment, thecoupling member 33 extends through each aperture and contacts the flatportion 11 of tray 10 so that the bottom surface 32 of the dishsupported a distance above the assembled plates 20, and so that eachaperture portion of each plate 20 is releasably coupled to dish 30. Thedish support arrangement is more clearly shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively,the depth of coupling member 33 may be reduced so that it does notcontact tray 10. In such an instance, the bottom surface 32 of dish 30is supported directly on the arrangement of plates. This is lessdesirable than the preferred embodiment because when plates areuncoupled and removed from tray 10, the dish may tilt and spill itscontents.

It should be understood that, although the preferred coupling member 33comprises a single serpentine shape that resembles a clover shape, anyshape and any number of coupling members may be used without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. For example, referring to FIG.18A showing an alternate dish embodiment 30 a, the dish comprises topsurface 34, a bottom surface 35, and an arrangement of separate anddownward extending coupling members 36 that correspond in size, shape,and number with the apertures extending through the arrangement ofassembled plates 20 in FIG. 9.

Referring in general to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunctional lazy susanassembly 1 of the present invention enables a host to use selectivelythe collection of tableware articles in a lazy susan arrangement orapart from a lazy susan. When used in a lazy susan arrangement, thenested assembled plates 20 that are releasably coupled to dish 30prevent the dish from sliding off the lazy susan when tray 10 is rotatedon pedestal 2. In addition, tray 10 may be detached with the assembledplates 20 and dish 30 in place to serve individual guests. When servedeither from the lazy susan or by the host, the guest may uncouplehis/her plate 20 from dish 30, and the beverage holder apertures claspand suspend a beverage container from the plate, enabling the user tohold both food and beverage with a single hand. Because the beveragecontainer is suspended below plate 20, the likelihood of spilling thebeverage is reduced as compared to plates having holders that support abeverage container on a surface of the plate.

Referring to FIGS. 19-21, an alternate embodiment 1 a of the presentlazy susan assembly, as described above, tray 10 includes a flat orplaner portion 11 for holding the assembled plates, and a downwardextending connection member 14 that is adapted to rotatably anddetachably fasten to a pedestal. In the present alternate embodiment 1a, connection member 14 includes a bearing mechanism 50 fixed within theconnection member and adapted to rotatably and detachably fasten topedestal 2 as shown in FIG. 21. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 20, abearing mechanism 51 may be fixed to the second end 4 of pedestal 2instead of tray 10, and bearing 51 is adapted to rotatably anddetachably fasten within connection member 14 of tray 10 as shown inFIG. 21.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showings an alternate tray embodiment 10 awhere tray 10 a is inverted so that bearing mechanism 53 can be viewed.Tray 10 a includes a flat or planer portion 11 a for holding theassembled or nested plates as shown in FIG. 6, and a curved rim 52 thatextends along the periphery of tray 10 a. Curved rim 52 is shaped tocorrespond with and receive the nested arcuate portions 25 of plates 20shown in FIGS. 10-15, and tray 10 a does not include skirt 15 shown inFIGS. 2-7. Bearing mechanism 53 includes a mounting plate 54 fixed tothe bottom surface of planer portion 11 a, a base plate 55, and abearing race 56 fixed between mounting plate 54 and base plate 55 toprovide means to rotate tray 10 a about the vertical axis X-X. Baseplate 55 is adapted to either detachably fasten to a pedestal as shownin FIG. 21 or be placed directly on a flat surface, for example a tabletop, and because tray 10 a does not include skirt 15 the distancebetween the supporting surface and tray 10 a may be reduced.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view showings an alternate tray embodiment 10 bwhere tray 10 b is inverted so that bearing mechanism 57 can be viewed.Tray 10 b includes a flat or planer portion 11 b for holding theassembled or nested plates as shown in FIG. 6, and a curved rim 58 thatextends along the periphery of tray 10 b. Curved rim 58 is shaped tocorrespond with and receive the nested arcuate portions 25 of plates 20shown in FIGS. 10-15, and tray 10 b does not include skirt 15 shown inFIGS. 2-7. Bearing mechanism 57 includes a mounting ring 59 fixed to thebottom surface of planer portion 11 b, and at least three rollers orwheels 60 rotatably attached to mounting ring 59. Wheels 60 are radiallyspaced apart along a wheel circle defined by mounting ring 59 coaxiallyaligned with the vertical axis of rotation X-X through tray 10 b.Bearing mechanism 57 may be placed on a pedestal or any suitable flatsurface such as a table top. Because tray 10 b does not include skirt15, the distance between the supporting surface and tray 10 b may bereduced.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view showings an alternate tray embodiment 10 cwhere tray 10 cb is inverted so that bearing mechanism 61 can be viewed.Tray 10 c includes a flat or planer portion 11 c for holding theassembled or nested plates as shown in FIG. 6, and a curved rim 62 thatextends along the periphery of tray 10 c. Curved rim 62 is shaped tocorrespond with and receive the nested arcuate portions 25 of plates 20shown in FIGS. 10-15, and tray 10 c does not include skirt 15 shown inFIGS. 2-7. Bearing mechanism 61 includes at least three rollers orwheels 63 attached to the bottom surface of planer portion 11 b alongwheel circle 64 positioned about the vertical axis X-X of tray 10 c.Wheels 63 may be placed on a pedestal or any suitable flat surface suchas a table top. Because tray 10 c does not include skirt 15, thedistance between the supporting surface and tray 10 c may be reduced.

As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferredembodiments thereof that fulfill the objects of the present invention asset forth above and provides new and improved lazy susan device. Ofcourse, various changes, modifications, and alterations from theteaching of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilledin the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope hereof.

1. A lazy susan, comprising: a) a rotatable tray; b) an arrangement ofassembled plates on said rotatable tray, each plate including at leastone aperture extending there through, said assembly of plates arrangedso that each said at least one aperture is radially spaced from andpositioned proximate an axis of rotation that extends through saidrotatable tray; and c) a dish including at least one coupling memberadapted to releasably couple to said assembly of plates.
 2. The lazysusan recited in claim 1, wherein said tray comprises: a) a tray surfaceshaped to contain said arrangement of assembled plates; and b) a bearingmechanism attached to said rotatable tray, said bearing mechanismpositioned to rotate said tray about said axis of rotation when saidbearing is placed on a surface.
 3. The lazy susan recited in claim 2,comprising: a skirt extending along a periphery of said tray, said skirtshaped to support said tray when said skirt is placed on a surface. 4.The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said bearing mechanismcomprises: a mounting plate fixed to a bottom surface of said rotatabletray, a base plate, and a bearing race fixed between said mounting plateand said base plate.
 5. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein saidbearing mechanism comprises: a mounting ring fixed to a bottom surfaceof said rotatable tray; and at least three wheels rotatably fixed tosaid mounting ring, said at least three wheels positioned along a wheelcircle about said axis of rotation.
 6. The lazy susan recited in claim2, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises: at least three wheels fixedto said rotatably tray, said at least three wheels positioned along awheel circle about said axis of rotation.
 7. The lazy susan recited inclaim 2, wherein said arrangement of assembled plates comprises: fourplates, each plate shaped to occupy substantially one quadrant portionof said tray surface.
 8. The lazy susan recited in claim 7, wherein eachsaid at least one aperture extending through each said plate comprises:a) a first aperture shaped and sized to clasp a side wall of a beveragecontainer and suspend a portion of the clasped container below saidplate; and b) a second smaller aperture that extends from said firstaperture through an edge portion of said plate.
 9. The lazy susanrecited in claim 8, wherein each said plate is square shaped and saidsecond aperture extends from said first aperture through a corner ofsaid plate.
 10. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said couplingmember extends downward from said dish and comprises a continuousserpentine shape that corresponds with each radially spaced aperturepositioned proximate said axis of rotation, said coupling member adaptedfor insertion into each said at least one aperture so that said dish maybe releasably coupled to each said plate.
 11. The lazy susan recited inclaim 2, wherein said coupling member extends downward from said dishand comprises a plurality of separate members shaped to correspond witheach radially spaced aperture positioned proximate said axis ofrotation, each said shaped member adapted for insertion into arespective radially spaced aperture so that said dish may be releasablycoupled to each said plate.
 12. The lazy susan recited in claim 10,wherein said dish is supported above said assembled plates whenreleasably coupled.
 13. The lazy susan recited in claim 10, wherein saiddish supported on said assembled plates when releasably coupled.
 14. Thelazy susan recited in claim 11, wherein said dish is supported abovesaid assembled plates when releasably coupled.
 15. The lazy susanrecited in claim 11, wherein said dish supported on said assembledplates when releasably coupled.
 16. The lazy susan recited in claim 2,comprising a removable cover shaped to enclose said tray, said assembledplates, and said dish.
 17. The lazy susan recited in claim 16, whereinsaid cover includes a storage compartment adapted to store at least onecomplete assembly of plates for said tray . . .
 18. The lazy susanrecited in claim 16, wherein said cover includes a storage compartmentadapted to store at least one set of four plates.
 19. A collection oftableware articles adapted for use in a lazy susan assembly and suitablefor use as separate tableware articles, said collection of tablewarecomprising: a) a tray including a surface shaped to contain anarrangement of plates, and a bearing mechanism fixed to said tray; b)plates, each plate having at least one beverage holder, each beverageholder comprising an aperture shaped and sized to clasp the side of abeverage container and suspend a portion of the clasped beveragecontainer below said plate, and c) a dish adapted to releasably coupleeach said arranged plate when said dish is used in said lazy susanassembly.
 20. The tableware recited in claim 19, wherein said tray isshaped to hold four said plates when used in said lazy susan assembly.21. The tableware recited in claim 20, wherein said plates are squareand each said plate occupies substantially one quadrant of said tray.22. The tableware recited in claim 21, wherein said plates are arrangedso that each said at least one beverage holder is radially spaced abouta center axis of said tray.
 23. The tableware recited in claim 22,wherein said means to releasably couple said plates to said dishcomprises a continuous serpentine shaped coupling member that extends ina downward direction from said dish and corresponds with each radiallyspaced beverage holder, said coupling member adapted for insertion intoeach radially spaced beverage holder so that said dish is releasablycoupled to each plate when used in said lazy susan assembly.
 24. Thetableware recited in claim 20, wherein said means to releasably couplesaid plates to said dish comprises a plurality of separate couplingmembers, each coupling member shaped to correspond with one of saidradially spaced beverage holders, each said coupling member adapted forinsertion into a respective radially spaced beverage holder so that saiddish may be releasably coupled to each plate when used in said lazysusan assembly.
 25. The tableware recited in claim 23, wherein said dishis supported above said plates when releasably coupled.
 26. Thetableware recited in claim 23, wherein said dish is supported on saidplates when releasably coupled.
 27. The tableware recited in claim 24,wherein said dish is supported above said plates when releasablycoupled.
 28. The tableware recited in claim 24, wherein said dish issupported on said plates when releasably coupled.
 29. A multifunctionallazy susan comprising: a) a rotatable tray; b) an arrangement ofassembled plates positioned on said rotatable tray about an axis ofrotation that extends through said tray, each plate comprising at leastone aperture radially spaced about and proximate said axis of rotation;and c) a dish, releasably fixed within each radially spaced aperture.30. The lazy susan recited in claim 29, comprising a removable covershaped to enclose said tray, said assembled plates, and said dish. 31.The lazy susan recited in claim 30, wherein said cover includes astorage compartment adapted to store at least one complete assembly ofplates for said tray.